Red tape talks continue

Ontario’s minister of agriculture is still moving around the province gathering information on how to reduce red tape.

Ernie Hardeman was joined by Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, in Vaughan Wednesday with food processors and agribusiness representatives.

“Over the last number of months, we have consulted with farmers and processors at round tables across Ontario on opportunities to grow their business,” said Hardeman. “And we are already making progress. We are modernizing Ontario’s financial protection programs for farm businesses and identifying ways to streamline the licensing and certification processes for more than 20 programs that OMAFRA delivers.”

Provincial officials have been travelling over the last number of months, consulting with farmers and processors at round tables across Ontario on opportunities to grow business.

He adds there is progress being made through the modernizing of Ontario’s financial protection programs for farm businesses and identifying ways to streamline the licensing and certification processes for more than 20 programs that OMAFRA delivers.

Althrough nothing specfic came out of the midweek meeting, officials say the government will be introducing red tape reduction legislation throughout its mandate.